Thread: Plane Blades and Chisels ( A progress report )

Originally Posted by RayG

Hi Polie,

That's not a bad idea, polished brass and she-oak can look very classy. What timber are you going with for the handles?

Ray

Yep, sheoak, just negotiating with the Timber Bloke for a length or two.
I made up what is effectively a jamb chuck for my metalwork lathe and sanded them up to 2500 grit wet and dry then used brasso cloth to polish (used to be called duraglit years ago)
Was not overly happy with the shine, will tap a screw onto the end of the jig so I can hold them steady when I take them to the buff for a workout, I have an edge behind the ferrule so the buff does not round over the edge.

Can't find a 4mm square file so have been using a square needle file, it is a tad too small for the job but it gets there.

Polie

Originally Posted by Polie

Yep, sheoak, just negotiating with the Timber Bloke for a length or two.
I made up what is effectively a jamb chuck for my metalwork lathe and sanded them up to 2500 grit wet and dry then used brasso cloth to polish (used to be called duraglit years ago)
Was not overly happy with the shine, will tap a screw onto the end of the jig so I can hold them steady when I take them to the buff for a workout, I have an edge behind the ferrule so the buff does not round over the edge.

Can't find a 4mm square file so have been using a square needle file, it is a tad too small for the job but it gets there.

Polie

I got a cheap file from Bunnings and then used an angle grinder with a flap disk to remove the teeth on one side and one edge to make those both safe, then I cut length wise through the file to make it narrower so that I could get the full length through the ferrule. Sounds more complicated than it really is. I'll take a picture when I get home.

Ray

Originally Posted by RayG

I got a cheap file from Bunnings and then used an angle grinder with a flap disk to remove the teeth on one side and one edge to make those both safe, then I cut length wise through the file to make it narrower so that I could get the full length through the ferrule. Sounds more complicated than it really is. I'll take a picture when I get home.

Ray

Was the file soft enough to remove the teeth or did you have to anneal it to soften it up?
Why did you use a flap disk rather than just a standard angle grinder metal grinding disk?
Also interested to know how you 'cut the file length wise', milling one side down would be an option but holding it in a vice would flatten the teeth you were trying to save.

I have read about people modifying files to make all sorts of things, I think the current Wood Review makes a small chisel or awl out of one, but I have always just left them as is and used them for their stated purpose. Modifying a square file will help break the ice (or the file ) and open up more possibilities.

Polie

Originally Posted by Polie

Was the file soft enough to remove the teeth or did you have to anneal it to soften it up?
Why did you use a flap disk rather than just a standard angle grinder metal grinding disk?
Also interested to know how you 'cut the file length wise', milling one side down would be an option but holding it in a vice would flatten the teeth you were trying to save.

I have read about people modifying files to make all sorts of things, I think the current Wood Review makes a small chisel or awl out of one, but I have always just left them as is and used them for their stated purpose. Modifying a square file will help break the ice (or the file ) and open up more possibilities.

Polie

You could use a normal grinding disk, it just happened to be that a flap disk was already in the grinder, and anyway the flap disk leaves a smoother finish.

In general files get re-purposed all the time, the reason is simply that worn out files accumulate over time, and they are a readily available source of high carbon steel. I don't ever remember throwing a file away.

Ray

Originally Posted by RayG

In general files get re-purposed all the time, the reason is simply that worn out files accumulate over time, and they are a readily available source of high carbon steel. I don't ever remember throwing a file away.

Ray

Ray

I'm a little bit the same except that I seem to accumulate more files than projects.

I am constantly amazed how many sellers on US Ebay advertise lots of used files and for quite a lot of money. For me it holds about as much attraction as used chewing gum. I went with a palatable (oops!) simile there or the police from the ministry of decency would have demanded I left, but the rubber manufacturers would have thanked me for the free advertising.

Regards
Paul

Bump... just keeping this on the front page. I'm back from working overseas, but haven't yet got a clear run at the remaining chisels. Soon....

Ray

PS Has anyone heard anything from guyc45 in Texas, I sent him a PM to confirm that his chisels arrived ok, but never heard back?

Hello Ray,
Bump to keep the thread on the front page.
Any progress?
Regards, Bill

Originally Posted by gnu52

Hello Ray,
Bump to keep the thread on the front page.
Any progress?
Regards, Bill

I've got a few more batches almost ready. Soon.

Got some ready to go, I'll be posting next week. You will receive a PM to confirm details and current postal address.

Originally Posted by RayG

Got some ready to go, I'll be posting next week. You will receive a PM to confirm details and current postal address.

Apologies for the false start to the final lap. I've gone backwards. After reviewing the ones I've finished, I've changed my mind about polishing the brass. Pictures later.

Hello Ray,
Bump to keep the thread on the front page. Where are you at with the chisels?
Regards, Bill

Originally Posted by gnu52

Hello Ray,
Bump to keep the thread on the front page. Where are you at with the chisels?
Regards, Bill

Thanks for the bump, I did one batch a few weeks back with polished ferrules, getting ready to do another this week. Also I've got some of the loaned chisels to post later today.

Ray

Hello Ray,
Another bump to keep the thread current.
Assuming that the grinding is finished what's left to do? If it's a matter of assembly I am happy to do that myself as I did with the firmer chisels.
I'm keen to get my set because I'm moving soon & trying to tidy up all the loose ends before that.
Regards, Bill.

I have been following this thread for a few years now, and must say that it is a real labour of love Ray.

Kudos to you.